So, we all know that the streaming service model is picking up steam. http://bit.ly/2EApwcA
It’s going to end up siloing a lot of what people consume to numerous services. That might be great for people who only want to see Disney movies or Amazon Originals. But what about those of us whose tastes are too varied to be easily categorized? Who like to keep up with TV culture across the board? And who don’t have a bottomless pocket to pay for 20 different services all scrambling to empty our pockets and use the extra lent to knit themselves a sweater?
In an age when monopolies are all trying to get a piece of the monthly subscription pie, I believe the next step forward–a step Plex is already in a position to spearhead with minimal changes to their current platform–is open media streaming. A streaming service comprised of content shared by a community of users hosting their media in the cloud. A Library of Alexandria for cloud media.
And any company with the vision to provide a platform/service that curates the content of this media community would stand to make big waves in a sea of streaming service options.
Plex Open Streaming Service. The next step in streaming.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this sounds just like copyright infringement on a massive scale.
If that is what you are suggesting, I can say: no, won’t happen.
If you are expecting that Plex will build features which will support such an initiative, you’d be wrong.
Because this would go contrary to Plex’s Terms and Conditions
See https://www.plex.tv/about/privacy-legal/plex-terms-of-service/
Item 4 in particular…
I completely understand what you’re saying. But I think a legal team could better explore what’s possible here with respect to what Plex is already doing.
Plex already built a feature supporting this to a limited degree. I can provide anyone I want a user account on my PMS, and they can stream my media, regardless of where I obtained it or how. This feature request just expands on that concept.
The ToS covers Plex so they don’t have to build features which ALSO regulate copyrighted content–if you or I have copyrighted content, it’s on us, not Plex.
I’m not exactly sure how the original post imagines Plex Open Streaming actually working, but Plex could probably create a store similar to Google Play and iTunes which could sync an offline copy to an encrypted section of the Plex library.
Then also become a member of the Movies Anywhere system so people could sync content they already purchased on other platforms.
I wouldn’t call it “open” but it would be a valuable feature and provide Plex with a store to sell movies and TV.
The whole idea of Plex actually becoming a source for any streaming content is hideously bad and fraught with possible legal problems.
I do not like the idea of Plex even being a conduit for things like podcasts and web content but what is being suggested here is so much further over the line than those bad ideas that the line is no longer even visible in the rear view mirror.
But I do not think it is ever going to happen because, even though Plex does much that I believe is less than intelligent, they have never shown any sign that indicated lunacy and this would require at least baying at the moon level of such a condition.
Plex should remain free of anything that requires that Plex holds a license for the distribution of media. That is not a part of the business that I would wish on anybody and it would leave them open to having some shifty lawyer find a way to ruin them through frivolous legal action.
That’s certainly an interesting idea. But I suspect it’s in the same vein of misunderstanding that I believe @Elijah_Baley and @Hawaiiankaikai are in with regards to what’s being proposed here. I’m not proposing Plex host licensed content. I’m proposing Plex do what it’s already doing…but with an expanded scope.
Plex already offers the feature I’m describing in a limited fashion through Plex Pass. With Plex Pass, you can create and manage user accounts that allow you to share your media with anyone you like. This feature does not require Plex to hold any special content licensure. The concept presented here simply extends the user share option to one managed by Plex. Instead of you providing access to one friend, you provide access to a whole community.
Plex is already curating your content.
Plex is already allowing you to share your content with people.
Plex Open Streaming Service would simply allow you to share your curated content with more people.
Also, to @Hawaiiankaikai’s point, this would be a service, not a compulsory add-on to Plex Pass–completely separate offering.
And addressing @OttoKerner’s comment below before the thread was locked…
That’s a fair point, and one I’ve been wondering about myself. See, I’ve found no legal precedent defining the “family and close friends” as permissible when sharing copyrighted content. In fact, the concept of trying to argue “close friends” is legally dubious at best. By this measure, what Plex is already doing is illegal. But if I’m mistaken in that, then I likewise see no articles or court decisions validating this stance.
While my research was unsuccessful, if you have some examples that establish such legal precedent, that would be most appreciated. This would be the follow-up to my mention earlier of any legal team Plex might consult with that can speak to this.
Given that this thread has been locked, however, I guess discussion is also considered a liability in this forum. Duly noted.
And that’s precisely what Plex is not and doesn’t want to be.
Plex is for sharing with family and close friends.
Anything beyond that is outside of ‘fair use’ and therefore illegal.
